I raise my hands. “Obviously not.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“You’re obviously not.” He’s right, I think just as I pass out.
Chapter 2
Ben
Fuck. I catch her in my arms, then carry her into the one bedroom down on the next floor below. I lay her on the bed, tugging off her shoes while whipping out my cell phone. “Dane, get me one of the coolers.”
“The whole thing?” he asks. She moans, and I wonder if I should take her to the hospital or get her hydrated first.
“Yes, water and all. The little trespasser passed out,” I scold him. I had no idea someone was in the house besides the crew. She had been here for over two hours when Dane said something in passing about her. Fuck, that’s what I needed. She could sue us or that dipshit family lawyer of hers could.
Honestly, that’s not why I’m upset. When I saw those bright hazel eyes meet mine, I knew something in me changed. She’s stunningly beautiful with a perfectly taut body and just the right amount of curves. I take in her dirty face. It’s still flush. Damn it, Dane is taking too long for my own tastes. I run into the bathroom, grabbing my bandana from my back pocket and soaking it under cold water. I wring it out as fast as possible only to see Dane sitting on the bed beside her, giving her a water bottle.
“Get up,” I growl out. Dane stands up in one quick motion, catching my glare in the process.
“I’m sorry, boss. I had no idea she was still here. I thought maybe she left.” He thinks that’s why I’m pissed, but as much as I should be, it has nothing to do with it. He’s sitting too damn close to her, taking my place in caring for her. I felt an instant territoriality that’s unexplainable.
“Well, she didn’t.” I turn to her and see her staring straight at me. “How are you feeling?” I asked the brown-haired beauty. She looks at me with a hint of embarrassment and something along the lines of interest. And fuck if that doesn’t make me feel like a beast. I want her for myself to keep, to touch, and worship.
“Better, I suppose,” she admits, releasing a sigh.
“Dane, has the rest of the crew left?” I ask, wanting all of them leaving us alone.
“Just about. We’re going to be here early in the morning.”
“Okay, take off now. I want you ready to tackle the rest of the project as the lead on the crew tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow. I’m really sorry about this,” Dane says to the both of us.
“Thank you for the water.” I bite back a groan, but the tension radiates off me.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, forgetting I just asked that.
“Much better. I didn’t mean to freak you out by passing out. I need to get out of here.” She swings her legs off the bed. I want to put them back up there, but I don’t know who this bed belongs to. I don’t want her in another man’s bed, even if related. Dane said she was the niece of the woman who owned it.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I tell her while taking a seat next to her on the bed.
“Well, thanks, but I’m not staying here tonight.”
“Okay. Let me drive you to your place.”
“Not going to happen. I don’t care how sexy you are…” She clasps her hand to her mouth, catching herself before she said anything else inviting. Fuck, knowing that she’s attracted to me doesn’t make this easier.
I smirk, then shake my head just enough to hide my elation. “I’m not the kind of guy who takes advantage of a woman. Not that I don’t find you sexy either, but you collapsed from the heat, and that shit’s not cool. I should be taking you to the ER.”
“I’m okay. I got dizzy. The change in lighting messed with my eyes and I lost my balance. I promise I’m all good now. I have to go.”
“Let me at least follow you to make sure you don’t crash.”
“It’s not a good idea. I work in Chicago.”
“So, are you saying I need an armor-plated truck? Or is it that it’s about a hundred miles away.”
“Bingo on the latter,” she says with a wink, a click of her teeth, and the snap and point of her fingers.
“As it happens, I’m headed that way myself, and maybe we can have dinner?” I toss out.
“I’m not that hungry. I’m just going to pick up something from the hotdog stand by on my apartment.”
“Well how about this. I’ll follow there and we sit down inside and eat? Does the place have seating?”
“Yes, it does. That works for me.”
Chapter 3
Mira
I’m mentally praying that I don’t eat like a pig in front of this man because every part of my body is electrified with sexual tension. The entire drive, I kept thinking of ways to let him come back to my place. It’s beyond anything that I would have ever considered before, but something about Ben has my panties soaked, and my thoughts all filthy. Maybe it’s the way he stared at me, or his muscular arms holding me to his chest when he carried me. Even in my semi-conscious state, I felt safe and secure in his arms.